Hull KR: Board have backed me to the hilt

HULL KR coach Justin Morgan says the club's directors must take credit for financing the Robins' ambitious recruitment.

As first predicted by the Mail, Rovers will sign Brisbane Bronco's prop Joel Clinton on a two-year deal ahead of the 2010 campaign, subject to being granted a visa.

He will join a string of experienced NRL stars at Craven Park, as KR have invested heavily in player recruitment in recent years.

The transfer will raise eyebrows in some quarters, given his £152,000 a year salary in the NRL and with the Robins losing around £450,000 a season in Super League.

But with that in mind, Morgan paid tribute to the board at Craven Park for financing his team-building plans at the club, which enabled the club to secure a fourth place finish last season.

"I am really pleased with the support I have had from the board," Morgan told the Mail.

"I can't really talk too much about the stuff that happens off the pitch because that is not my area, but talking to the chairman briefly about the recent media stories, a lot was made over something that was very small.

"It is a tough transition as the gap between National League and Super League in every aspect is enormous and for us to make the progress on the pitch investment is needed.

"We have made great progress both on and off the pitch and that is a reflection of the commitment from the chairman and the board.

"I am very happy with that as it helps me get the tools I need to win rugby league matches."

Chairman Neil Hudgell has already stressed the club needs more income – and crowds of 10,000 a week – to become self financing.

And he admitted the board had accepted the need to invest heavily to make the club a force again.

He said: "We as a board of directors have got from 2004 to now with some considerable investment.

"We have gone from national league also-rans to fourth in Super League and that has needed investment.

"That has meant that we have overpaid on contracts, got longer deals than we would have done, but it does come to a point when we have to look at the picture going forward and say that we as a board of directors are not prepared to continue to meet that void and the club has to wipe its face."

Clinton, a former Australian Test star, will become one of the Robins biggest earners next season.

He will sit alongside the likes of Paul Cooke, Clint Newton, Michael Dobson, Mick Vella and Ben Galea, who are all believed to earn more than £100,000 a year.